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In 1962, lawyers Kieran O’Doherty and J. Daniel Mahoney helped form the Conservative Party of New York, aiming to take action against what they saw as a city and state gone seriously wrong. New York has a long history of conservative activism, but in the 1960s, this tradition merged with new fears and discontents stemming from changes in the city, nation, and world.... Read More

In 1962, lawyers Kieran O’Doherty and J. Daniel Mahoney helped form the Conservative Party of New York, aiming to take action against what they saw as a city and state gone seriously wrong. New York has a long history of conservative activism, but in the 1960s, this tradition merged with new fears and discontents stemming from changes in the city, nation, and world.

Many white working- and middle-class New Yorkers expressed frustration over the city’s changing demographics, rising crime rates, and growing counterculture. After decades of the expansion of the role of government by Democrats and Republicans, conservatives mobilized against school busing, the creation of low-income housing, and higher taxes to pay for social programs. Conservatives also accused the city’s liberal establishment of being soft on communism and protesters of the war in Vietnam.

In the 1970s, liberals and conservatives fought “culture wars” over issues such as gay rights, abortion, the role of religion in public life, and affirmative action. Urban crime and government spending also spurred conservatives into action. They made their voices heard in rallies, boycotts, the press, and in local and national elections.

In 1980, 38% of New York City residents voted for Ronald Reagan, indicating the continued presence of a vocal conservative minority. The Conservative Party of New York remains active and organized in the city. New York conservatives have helped elect several Republican mayors, and the city is home to conservative institutions such as National Review magazine and the influential Manhattan Institute.

1978
William J. Casey, who went on to direct the Central Intelligence Agency, co-founds the International Center for Economic Policy Studies in New York (today’s Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, an influential conservative “think tank”)

Key Events

1946

Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain Speech” and the Truman Doctrine signal the beginning of the Cold War between United States and Soviet Union

1955
National Review launched in New York as a mouthpiece for “responsible conservatism”

1962
Conservative Party of New York State founded

1964
Parents and Taxpayers protest plan for integrating and redistricting New York City public schools

1965
Conservative Party runs William F. Buckley Jr. for mayor and Rosemary Gunning for City Council president

1978
William J. Casey, who went on to direct the Central Intelligence Agency, co-founds the International Center for Economic Policy Studies in New York (today’s Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, an influential conservative “think tank”)